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Back extension

Back · Machine

Sets, reps and RIR

Sets3 to 4
Reps8 to 12
RIR1 to 2

Machines and cables hold the path for you, so you can work closer to failure than with free weights.

RIR means reps in reserve: how many you could still have done when you racked it. RIR 2 is two short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary: Lower back.

Secondary: Glutes, Hamstrings.

Estimate your one-rep max

Epley's formula, from a set you have actually done. It is an estimate, and it drifts above eight reps, so keep the input between one and twelve.

Enter a set to see the estimate.

What it is called elsewhere

  • Norwegian Ryggreis (back extension)
  • Swedish Ryggresning (back extension)
  • Danish Rygstrækninger (back extension)
  • German Rückenstrecken
  • Spanish Extensión de espalda
  • Italian Iperestensioni (back extension)
  • Portuguese Extensão lombar
  • Russian Гиперэкстензия
  • French Extensions lombaires

Related back exercises

  • Deadlift (barbell)
  • Romanian deadlift (barbell)
  • Barbell row
  • Pendlay row
  • T-bar row
  • Shrugs (barbell)

athlate logs this exercise, keeps the numbers, and tells you what you lifted last time.

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